The Birthday Present, Ditika S. [100 best novels of all time .txt] 📗

Prologue

“Alexandra I think you should go for the big meeting with our most prestigious company of London. You are the most profound candidate of our company.” Alex's boss spoke pointing at her in the conference room. She nodded politely. “Yes sir. I would love to go, thank you,” she said and flashed a brilliant smile, “well, so it's done. The meeting is going to be held in Montana, and you will have to be there on Christmas day so that you can check on the arrangements. I would prefer if you drove as you will reach there soon and we can follow you after that,” her boss completed, and she nodded in approval
Alex met up with her best friend and colleague, Jessica excitedly after the meeting.
“Guess what who is going to go to the big meeting for the London Company and whose future is going to change forever? Me! Mine” she said proudly.
“Alex that is great!” Jessica said and hugged her. They started to walk together, Jessica, the great thinker, started to analyze something as Alex received congratulations from every one.
Jessica literally jumped with excitement before saying this, “Oh, now you can go meet your mother. She lives in Montana, right?! Isn't the meeting going to be held near that little town of Aaron Ville?” Alex starred at her,
“No Jesse I can't. I don't wanna go and I won't either; never.” she said sternly.
“What about the talks we've been having about you going to meet your mum if you can?” Jessica asked.
“I lied Jesse; I would never meet her, not now not ever. You know that, it was just an excuse OK? I'm not gonna go to her, she doesn't cares about me, and I don't either, topic close!” Alex said and Jessica looked at her with furious eyes. She snorted with anger a little before speaking.
“You will regret this. Parents are the most important part of your life,” she said. “You will regret it.” She went away leaving Alex staring at her, astonished.

Chapter One- The Known Stranger

It was 5:00 am in the morning and everyone in Ashton Ville was fast asleep as a sweet smell spread across the town. It had snowed the whole night leaving Ashton Ville completely covered. The roads were empty and there was a comforting silence in the usually loud-chirpy town. They were all tired because yesterday they had a huge party for Christmas.
The town was home to small families. Only a few people lived here and most of them were old and fragile, their kids had left them and the town, to find work: and then visiting them once in a while. Most of the residents didn't minded staying alone. Together in everything, no matter what, they had started to accept each other as one big happy family. It was going to be a fun filled day for this town-family. They had planned a party for Mrs. Serena Gilbert, today marked her birthday.
It started to snow again, but this time it was snowing hard. Ashton Ville was never considered a winter wonderland, but the snow made it look like an exotic resort. Serena was a consistent early bird. She woke on time, went to sleep on time and ate on time. One of eldest and the most respected member of the community. She was known for her sweet and caring nature, and her trustworthiness. She was married to Patrick Gilbert and had lived there for 27 years, becoming an important part of Ashton Ville.
It was calm and peaceful that time of the day, but an unpleasant banging on the door…the noise had started up like a low knock, and now had become a high pitched hammering, of someone pushing and kicking at the door furiously. Serena lived in one of the oldest and beautiful homes, in the outermost part of town.
The loud banging was at her front door which woke her. She was still sleepy when she grabbed a robe and tied it around her little body. Scratching her head, she started to head down the long stairs of her big house. Yawning, she applied the safety lock on the front door, and opened it as much as it could.
Serena peered out of the niche opening, rubbing her eyes she tried to analyze who it was. She asked the stranger all sorts of questions, but he didn't give any reply, just kept on banging the door. The new arrival never really noticed the door had been opened a little, he just kept on knocking. Serena could only see the stranger's jacket and his hooded fur cap, which was completely soaked because of the snow. Serena finally decided of opening the door, she couldn't see him standing outside in the cold weather wearing soaked clothes.
She opened the safety lock, and let the stranger in from the cold and snow, she was really curious on who the stranger was. He had his head down when he entered the house, and leaving Serena alone at the door he went inside the hallway, like he knew each and every part of the house. Serena quickly went towards the stranger who turned around towards her, and lifted his head slowly.
Serena starred at the face of the known stranger in shock, she couldn't believe who was standing in front of her-“Alex?” she asked, blinking her tears of joy away. Alex licked her dry lips a little and turned around to go. Serena watched as Alex walked into the living room, leaving her alone in the hallway. The last time she saw her daughter, Alex was graduating from college. The day had started off wonderful, but as usual it ended in disaster. She loved her daughter, but Serena couldn't help except to wonder why Alex was here banging on her door at such early hour.
Serena instead, of going to Alex, went straight to Alex's room, to get her some dry clothes to wear. She even got her a blanket to warm up. Serena quickly went in the living room and saw Alex sitting quietly on the sofa, she swiftly went and parked herself next to Alex, she touched her arm softly. Alex flinched and moved away from her mother, it was as if she was seeing her for the first time.
Serena looked at her with motherly love, she started examining how much Alex had changed. Alex was no longer her little princess, with red clips in her hair, and a lollipop in her mouth, she had changed and was a lady now. She was a pretty girl who had inherited her beauty from her mother. She had blue eyes, thick lips and pink skin. But today she was looking pale and dreary; her eyes looked black, her pupils were dilated making her eyes look black, her pink skin was pale and rough, and her cute pink freckles were dark brown almost black covering all her face.
Alex looked at her mother with a confused look. She blinked her eyes and stared at her mother. And then did what she wanted to do from a long time, she cried, her heart out.

Chapter Two- Taking a look at the Past

“You knew that?” Alex asked her mother in astonishment, her voice-weak and frail-but at least she was talking.
“Yeah, I mean, he was cute and I knew you liked him” Serena said in a voice which had the tone of the fact of the matter, which she always used.
“Mom, you shouldn't know that, this is so embarrassing” Alex blurted out, blushing, the only color that flashed on her face since morning.
“But I do, and don't worry, I wont tell him” Serena said whispered the last words teasing Alex. They were looking at their old photos in the album Sere had made and kept like a treasure.
“Forget him Ma, listen, it's your birthday I know, but I don't wanna meet anyone, no one, just us today” Alex asked, her tone low and deep, it wasn't cheerful and bubbly like her real one.